Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a new pet lover, I have a juvinille African Fat Tail Gecko, and I have him in a Aquaurium tank (30 gallon). I am aware that they are hot natured and love humidty.

Where do I place the moss and plastic tray on the cool side or hot side of the tank. I am told by petmart different things, 1 says cool and the other says hot. I believe hot side because that's where the humidity would come from.

Also, can I place a heating pad under the aquarium tank which is on a stand? the package says do not use on aquarium tanks.

My home is about 80 degrees every day, so at night I don't leave any lights on. In the morning I have the sun light placed on the top screen of the aquarium tank over the Moss habitat and I have a dark hideout on the cool side with the water dish. Do I have to correctly, please assist me. Thanks

well i would start with paper towels for your substrate. yes, you arent supposed to put those heat pads dirrectly on the bottom of the glass. they will get too hot for your fatty and they will crack the glass. really it is a pain in the rear to get the temperature right but with a little messing around im sure you can acheive your desired temperature which is 90F degrees. they do like humidity but not wetness. what would work well is a dark hide on both the warm side and the cool side. also a humid/dark hide on both the warm and cool side. this way your fatty can choose whatever he/she feels like. the water dish can stay on the cool side. the light is not necessary unless you use it only during the day to achieve the right temperature. to measure your temperature do not use those sticky round meters. use an electric temp gun or an electric thing with a probe. you can get them at petco/petsmart and i have also found them at the grocery store. youll want the probe in the hiding spot because that is where the temp. is the most important. good luck